Salad Bowl of Eccentrics

The rebellion that sparked on the southern frontier ignited into a blaze that swept across the empire like a swift, raging wildfire.

The imperial capital fell to the rebel forces, with Emperor Augusts and Crown Prince Fernando falling on the battlefield. The rest of the imperial family and their vassals faced capture and death. Thus the illustrious four-hundred-year-old Ophim Empire came to an end.

In the midst of the chaos, the seventh princess, Sala da Odin, managed to flee the capital. She took refuge in an imperial fortress often referred to as the Old Demon King Castle.Yet, the remnants of the imperial army could not hold out indefinitely against the rebels when they laid siege. It was only a matter of time before it fell.

Trapped, Sala and her trusted companion Livia, decided to take one final, desperate gamble. The quietly slipped away into a secret passageway deep within the castle.

This wasn't your average secret escape passage. One lord who had previous attempted to use this passage had been easily caught and killed by the rebels. Only members of the imperial family knew that it's true exit was the Portal.

The Portal had been created by the first emperor and supposedly opened onto a different world. But that was all that even the imperial family knew.

No one who had gone through the Portal had ever returned. No one truly knew if it led to another world or what, if anything, really lay beyond it.

Sala faced a choice between two great leaps into the unknown—one by the sword, and one by the Portal. Only the Portal offered her any chance of surviving.

Sir! There's something over here!

Shouts and the rumble of soldiers echoed from the far end of the passage. The rebels had breached the secret entrance and were racing toward Sala and Livia.

I shall hold them off here, your highness! Go! Run!

Sala stopped and turned to look back at Livia.

Don't you dare die on me, Livia du Udis!

There was no time for any more words. Sala took off running without a backward glance. Her job was to survive, and the only advantage she had was the slight lead Livia could give her. It didn't matter that Sala was one of the empire's top magic users. All of her abilities were rendered useless by the rebels' anti-magic weapons. Without her magic, she was just an ordinary thirteen-year-old girl. Given that, Livia stood a better chance of surviving without a kid like her to slow them down.

Fare thee well, my princess!

There they are! Imperial dogs!

Hah! You damn traitors! I am Livia du Udis! In the name of the Udis family, defenders of the imperial family for generations. I swear on my name that you shall not pass!

A guardian of the imperial family? That means the other girl must be a royal! Don't let her escape!

Oh! Damn it! They figured it out!

Seriously, Livia! What were you thinking?

Livia was loyal and skilled, but she had a knack for putting her foot in her mouth.

The clanging of swords clashing behind her pushed Sala to run even faster. She sprinted down the long stone corridor, finally bursting out into a vast, echoing cavern.

The Portal loomed dead ahead.

It was less a gate and more like a huge, ominous void that hung midair, its interior shrouded in absolute darkness, revealing nothing.

Ugh, this feels like a really, really bad idea.

The unforgiving darkness of the Portal might just land her in the afterlife, if the rebels didn't get her first.

There's really no choice, is there?

A cold sweat broke out on her brow and the back of her neck, but she squared her shoulders and forced a smile onto her lips as she advanced to the portal.

Though no one was there to see, the last princess of the Ophim Empire held her head high and calmly stepped forward to face her fate.

October 4th, 7:43 p.m.

The golden sun was setting over a city whose golden age happened five hundred years earlier during the reign of Oda Nobunaga.

Gifu City in Gifu Prefecture is one of those unremarkable regional cities found throughout Japan. It's not quite rural but not quite urban either, and is often the subject of humorous disdain from locals.

During the Sengoku Warring States period, Gifu City was called Inokuchi, and was notable as the military base of the great Oda Nobunaga.

However, once he moved his base to Azuchi, the city's time in the spotlight was over.

It's not that there weren't any notable places in the Nagoya prefecture. Tourists could indulge in the famous hot springs of Gero, see the Bon dance festival in Gujo, bask in the hot weather of Tajimi, visit the historic katana-makers of Seki, or simply take in the beauty of Minokamo which served as a setting for classic anime. Compared to them, Gifu City's claim to importance as the prefecture's capital city was modest at best. In fact, it barely managed to cling to being considered a part of greater metropolitan Nagoya.

It should be no surprise that in this unremarkable city lived an equally unremarkable detective.

Sosuke Kaburaya was twenty-nine-years-old, single, and ready to mingle . . . or maybe not.

He had an average height and build. Even his face was average, lacking any distinctive feature that could tilt him toward being either handsome or ugly. On the other hand, this wasn't an entirely bad thing. In fact, looking ordinary was an asset in his job. Ask any private detective, and they'd tell you that being inconspicuous was half the job. It was this very ordinariness that was making Sosuke a rising star at a major detective agency.

He perfected his nondescript look by wearing off-the-rack suit jackets and slightly rumpled slacks. He stared at his phone, his briefcase slung over his shoulder. Like this, he could easily blend into the background on any street in Japan.

Tonight was no different. Holding his phone, he stood in the shadow of a telephone pole on an empty street.

His gaze, however, was not fixed on the screen, but on a man walking about twenty meters away.

Sosuke was currently tailing him.

The man, Koji Takemoto, was a forty-two-year-old office worker with a wife and two children.

Koji's wife was Sosuke's client.

She had hired him to find out if Koji was having an affair, and if he was, to get concrete evidence, such as pictures or videos of him kissing the other woman or going into a hotel with her.

She had told Sosuke that Koji had been coming home later and later over the past few months, always claiming overtime or late meetings. He had also started carrying his phone with him at all times, stepping into another room or going outside when he received a call. When she had asked a friend who happened to be a colleague of Koji's as well, he said that Koji's workload hadn't really changed.

Based on his experience in the field, Sosuke agreed that the client's suspicions were probably correct.

Vague excuses for late nights and being overprotective of privacy when calling or texting were classic behaviors of someone having an affair.

Overall, it seemed like a straightforward job. He accepted the commission and got to work, beginning with tailing Koji after he left work. Today was the fourth day.

On the first three days, Koji had taken the bus straight home. But today, he got off at a different stop. He got some money out of a nearby ATM, spent about an hour in a cafe, and then got on a bus heading in the opposite direction from his home and office. After about fifteen minutes, he got off and hurried down a dimly lit street, nervously looking around as if he didn't want to be seen.

This behavior practically screamed that he was on his way to meet his mistress.

Finally! Maybe I can get this all wrapped up tonight.

Tamping down his excitement, Sosuke discreetly followed Koji. This required more skill than people ordinarily thought. He had to maintain a safe distance but also stay close enough that he wouldn't lose Koji ducking down one of the tiny, dark side streets. Blowing his cover would also meant blowing the job for his client.

As expected, Koji turned into a side street.

Sosuke stepped out of the shadows and was about to make a quick dash to the corner.

Thud! He had the wind knocked out of him by a massive blow to his back.

Guh!

He fell to the ground face-first.

He just barely managed to get his hand in front of his face before it hit the pavement. Still, his hand was now throbbing.

Wh-what in the world?

He blinked and tried to catch his breath, struggling to figure out what had just happened. All he could be certain of was that there was something heavy on his back.

He attempted to think logically. Did something fall from the sky and crash into him? What could fall from the sky? A meteorite? No, he'd be dead if that were the case. Just in general, it didn't feel like a rock. Overall, it felt softer.

Huh . . . so this really is another world.

With those words, he realized the weight on his back came from a girl, or, judging by her voice, a teenager.

Did a girl just fall from the sky?

What is this—a scene from Laputa or something?

He had been so caught off guard that he didn't even realize he was talking out loud.

Oh, I do beg your pardon.

Oddly, the mysterious teenage girl seemed totally uninterested in her victim. She got to her feet—still standing on his back—sending a jolt of pain up his spine.

Ngh!

As soon as she stepped off him, Sosuke staggered to his feet as fast as he could and turned around.

There was no doubt about it. Standing there was definitely a young woman.

She was in her early teens by the look of it.

Her features were small and delicate, and her overall look was angelic.

Her pearly skin was soft and radiant, and her eyes were a striking shade of gold.

She had long blonde hair that was dyed pink at the tips and held up by two ornate pins.

Sosuke wasn't an expert in female attire, but her elaborate outfit looked like a cross between a traditional long-sleeved kimono and Lolita fashion.

Huh. Are you cosplaying or something?

In his downtime, he often enjoyed manga and anime, but he couldn't recall any character that looked like her.

Cost—pay?

She repeated the word awkwardly, tilting her head to one side in confusion.

Yeah, your outfit. Is that an anime character or something? Halloween is still a ways off.

I do not know of this Annie May to whom you refer. However, this dress is quite fashionable and appropriate for my position.

Her archaic speech and unusual appearance only strengthened Sosuke's suspicions that she was a cosplayer taking things a bit too far.

I mean, the way you talk, and . . . well, never mind.

He sighed.

So, what exactly happened. Were you climbing the telephone pole and fell off?

To be honest, his first dazed thought had been that she might have fallen from the sky. Since that was patently ridiculous, he reasoned that she had fallen either from the pole or a window, and even that seemed like a pretty thin explanation.

Her answer still managed to take him by surprise.

When I emerged from the Portal, I was quite literally midair. It was most fortunate that you happened to be below me and could break my fall.

She paused and gazed at the sky, murmuring to herself.

The Portal is gone . . . so it was a one-way trip, after all.

Listen, kid . . .

The girl's act was getting old as far as Sosuke was concerned. She looked at him.

I am no mere child! I am Sala da Odin, and I have come from another world, knowing nothing of this one. Prithee, might you be so kind as to tell me about it?

Another world, huh? Okay, that's enough. I don't have time for these games—ah!

As he spoke, he remembered he was in the middle of a case and sprinted to the corner of the street where Koji had disappeared. However, the narrow street was empty.

Damnit! I lost him.

Who knew when Koji's next clandestine rendezvous would be? It could be three days or three weeks.

Sosuke sighed and slumped against the wall.

The girl calling herself Sala walked up to him.

It appears you have plenty of time to spare now, do you not, sir?

Yeah, I suppose so. Thanks to someone. Ouch!

Sosuke shifted irritably and winced. He was hurting all over from hitting the ground.

Should you not be treating that? You appear to be spouting blood.

Ugh, you're right.

He looked down at his throbbing right hand. It had a nasty gash down the center of it and was bleeding profusely.

Looks like the cut is pretty deep. I'll need to see if there's a convenience store or pharmacy nearby.

He reached for his phone to look at the map but realized he must have dropped it when Sala crashed into him.

Sala watched him curiously as he stumbled and tried to retrace his steps.

Ugh!

This is perfectly ridiculous. Watching you hobble about with those injuries is giving me a frightful headache.

And whose fault is that?

Why do you not simply heal the wound?

That's what I'm trying to do. I need to find my phone to find a pharmacy to buy a first aid kit or something.

Hmmm?

The more exasperated Sosuke grew, the more confused Sala appeared.

Are you in so much pain that you cannot even use your healing magic?

She seemed genuinely surprised.

Magic? You've got to be kidding me.

What a thing for a grown man to be so . . . well, I suppose there is no help for it as it was I who inflicted this injury upon you. I pray you, give me your hand, and I shall treat you.

She took his hand in hers.

What are you . . . ?

His words trailed off as he felt all the pain from his body melt away.

What? The pain is . . . huh? What just happened?

He blinked several times to verify he wasn't hallucinating. It wasn't only that the pain had disappeared; the wound in his hand was knitting back together before his very eyes.

Ten seconds later, the wound was completely healed.

The line of the cut on his palm was still slightly visible, and his clothes were covered in blood and dirt, but none of that mattered in the moment.

I believe that should be sufficient.

Sala released Sosuke's hand.

W-what did you just do?

I healed your wound?

She frowned, as if considering something deeply.

Perhaps . . . I should ask this? Is healing magic rare in this world?

Healing magic? There's no magic period in this world. It's just a thing from fairy tales.

What? A world without magic? I thought that only existed in fairy tales.

Sosuke studied Sala as she murmured to herself.

The girl claimed that she had literally come from another world.

It would have been so easy to dismiss it as just a child with an overactive imagination, but the sight of his wounds miraculously healing wasn't as easily brushed aside.

It won't hurt to keep an open mind.

◇

October 4th, 7:57 p.m.

Sosuke retrieved his phone then cleaned the blood and dirt off at a fountain in a nearby park. Once he was done, he joined Sala on a bench.

So, let's try this again. Who are you really?

She looked at him with a mixture of defiance and haughtiness.

Have I not already said? My name is Sala da Odin, and I come from a different world.

Odin? Like oden stew? Ha, make up your mind if you're soup or salad.

Sala glared at Sosuke's "Dad" joke.

Neither, you knave. My first name is Sala. My last name is da Odin, a name of great reverence and renown, derived from a great demon lord. If you were call me "oden stew" in my world, you'd be tried for lèse majesté.

Lèse majesté? Are you saying you're royal or something?

Indeed. I am the seventh princess of the Ophim Empire . . . back where I come from.

Okay, sure. Let's go with that for the moment. So why would a princess end up here in a place like this?

A rebellion has overthrown the imperial family. I fled, but became trapped with but a single chance to escape. Thus, I leapt into the Portal that was said to lead to another world, and indeed it did as here I am . . . in another world.

Empires, princesses, rebels, portals to other worlds . . .

It sounded like the perfect checklist for a fantasy trope, but Sosuke's detective instincts told him she wasn't making it up. But royalty or not, there were some immediate questions and needs that they needed to deal with.

Hah, okay. So, first off, if you're really from another world, how is it that we can understand each other?

Hmm, that is quite an intriguing question. I have not changed the way I speak nor the language I use. Perhaps when one travels through the Portal, its magic effects a type of automatic translation spell?

That's awfully convenient.

Sala laughed ruefully at Sosuke's skepticism.

Convenience is a good thing, after all.

Still, you seem pretty chill for someone who just escaped from a rebellion and coup.

My country has been in turmoil since before I was born. The imperial family and high officials were tangled up in a power struggle that only ever grew worse. It had been quite evident for some time that a collapse was imminent.

Her words were surprisingly detached—far more calm and coolly objective than what one would expect from a child.

However, that is the past. What is important now is my future. You may begin by telling me about this world.

I'm . . . not really sure where to begin.

Usually, Sosuke was adept at making conversation. After all, it was a vital skill for a detective. But explaining everything about his world to a little girl from a fantasy realm was understandably outside his wheelhouse.

Still, he managed to tell Sala that they were on a planet called Earth, in a country governed by a constitutional monarchy called Japan, and this country was relatively peaceful and safe compared to other parts of the world. He made sure to stress that magic and supernatural phenomena were only found in works of fiction.

How extraordinary! From what you have said, it seems that in the absence of magic, people have focused more on developing science and medicine in this world.

Sosuke could tell she was genuinely intrigued.

Well, if we could heal injuries with magic, we'd never need to worry about medical research.

Magic is not omnipotent, though. What I used earlier was a basic spell that amplifies the natural healing abilities of humans. It will not work on serious injuries or critical illnesses. There are more advanced healing spells, but few can wield them.

Oh, really?

Yes, but as you said, the ability to heal most common diseases and injuries with magic would have indeed slowed or perhaps outright hindered the evolution of medical science.

Sosuke sighed.

Magic, huh? I'm . . . I'm still a little skeptical. Can it do other things besides heal?

Of course it can.

Sala nodded eagerly.

Would you like to see a demonstration?

Uh, sure. Why not?

Sosuke shrugged and nodded. Sala jumped up and held her right hand out in front of her.

Hmph!

While she made an adorable squeak, a jungle gym exploded with a deafening boom that reverberated through the park. All that was left of the jungle gym in front of them was a smoking crater the size of a small pickup truck.

Holy crap!

Sala grinned smugly at Sosuke's shocked expression.

What you have just witnessed was my most powerful offensive spell. No one in the Empire could surpass me in terms of speed, accuracy, or power.

B-b—, wh—, you . . .

Just so you are aware, I can also produce a much larger explosion. Would you like to see?

Don't you freaking dare!

Sosuke's head spun at the thought.

What's the matter with you?

Was it not you who requested a demonstration?

That doesn't mean you can just go around blowing up playground equipment!

Hmph.

Sosuke stared at the pouting Sala.

Look, we need to get out of here right now. People are gonna show up any second and start asking questions. They might mistake us for terrorists or something!

Huh, yes, that would be quite troublesome. Still, even if it is ten or twenty soldiers, I can easily blast them to smithereens.

Oh no, no, no! You cannot go blasting people to smithereens. If you're gonna survive here, you're gonna have to ditch your fairy tale ethics.

Sosuke kept lecturing her, even as he grabbed Sala's hand and ran away from the ruined playground.

◇

October 4th, 9:14 p.m.

Sosuke flagged down a taxi which dropped him and Sala in front of an older two-story building.

The first floor was occupied by Raicho Karaoke Cafe, and the sign on the second floor read, "Kaburaya Detective Agency."

Ugh. I'm broke and took a taxi anyway.

His sigh came from the depths of his frugal soul. He typically avoided taking taxis unless it was for work. But this was an emergency—he had to get himself and Sala as far away from the park as possible without attracting too much attention.

What is this place?

Sala seemed less than enthusiastic at the sight of the building.

Home sweet home. This is where I live and work.

Huh. What kind of work do you do?

Now you ask? Hah.

Some detective he was—he only just realized that he hadn't even told her his name.

Ah, I haven't really introduced myself, have I? I'm Sosuke Kaburaya. I'm 29 . . . and, I'm a detective.

A detective?

Yeah . . . I do things like finding people, gathering intel, and so on.

So, like a shinobi?

A shinobi? Oh, you mean a ninja? Not exactly. I mean, there are some similarities—whoa, wait. How do you even know about ninjas when you come from another world?

Call it a shinobi or something else, but spies and assassins were a part of any society that did professional intelligence gathering. It wasn't even a stretch to imagine they might have counterparts in Sala's world. While the magical language spell might have translated the word itself, Sala herself seemed far too familiar with the concept for something similar not to exist in her world.

Lost in thought, Sosuke absently guided Sala up the stairs to his apartment on the second floor.

He paused on the landing in front of his door to change into slippers before entering his literal home office.

Originally used by the downstairs cafe owner, the space was a typical, utilitarian one-bedroom apartment with a small bathroom, a kitchenette, and a balcony. A steel shelf split the living room, creating a tiny office space with a wooden desk, a sofa, and a small coffee table. On the other side of the shelf was the kitchenette, a small dining table, a TV, and a couple of bookshelves.

As mandated by law, an original copy of his detective business registration certificate was prominently displayed on the office wall.

A closet-like room off to the side of the kitchenette served as his bedroom.

In sum, the Sosuke Kaburaya's detective agency was headquartered in a forty thousand yen per month flat in a forty-seven-year-old building that was a thirty-minute walk from the JR Gifu Station.

This place is . . . tiny! Shabby! Dirty!

The otherworldly princess did not mince words in giving her frank opinion about Sosuke's humble abode.

Well, h-hey . . . it's not that bad . . .

. . . "right?" died on his lips.

He had to admit the place was cramped and cluttered as a result of being both his home and work space. Papers and files were piled high on his desk and on the floor. There was clutter everywhere and a thin layer of dust. Cleaning and tidying just hadn't been a priority lately. Even the building felt neglected with its worn exterior and creaking floors.

Sorry about the whole tiny, shabby, dirty thing.

Sosuke shrugged sheepishly. Sala gave him a small smile.

Well, 'tis better than having to sleep on the streets. Therefore, I shall have to impose on you for some time.

Hang on, you mean you're going to stay here?

Naturally. I clearly do not have anywhere else I can go.

She spoke as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

Hey now, I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself.

Was this not why you escorted me here?

Actually, I only brought you here because I didn't have any choice. I didn't want you to get in trouble with the police or get mixed up with any strangers.

Truth be told, it would be rather harsh to throw her out, even now.

Logically, he would contact child protective services for a lost child or runaway. However, it was clear Sala was far from an ordinary runaway. Forget the claim of being from another world. Sala's quirky amorality, overly formal speech, and the whole thing with magic would create unimaginable complications.

He looked out the window. It had started raining at some point.

I guess I'll have to let her stay here—at least for tonight.

If my presence is burdensome or a bother, I can easily take my leave.

Again, Sala spoke in a calm, matter-of-fact manner that belied her years.

You—you would?

She nodded.

Yes.

Sosuke couldn't help but be surprised.

If that's the case, I will have to erase your memory.

What?

If the scholars and governments of this world learned about my magic and true identity, ti would cause a great deal of trouble would it not? They would no doubt not hesitate to make me the subject of numerous experiments.

I've definitely seen stuff like that in stories about people with supernatural powers.

He wanted to believe that such inhumane scenes could never happen in reality. Really, he did.

Just in case, for my own safety, I must erase your memories.

I don't want my memories wiped "just in case! I won't tell anyone—detectives are good at keeping secrets . . . um, and purely out of curiosity . . . is there really a kind of magic that can make me forget everything about you?

He paused, thinking deeply about what it would mean to forget Sala completely but still leave his other memories untouched.

Memory magic isn't quite as precise as you're thinking. Generally, it results in losing several weeks to several years, and if it is not performed correctly, it may even reduce someone to a vegetative state.

Holy crap! That's incredibly dangerous!

Also, just to be clear, I only know the theoretical application of the spell. I've never tried it myself. Therefore, I have very little confidence about my ability to perform the spell successfully.

Which would mean that I'm on the fast track to becoming a vegetable.

Correct. So, what shall you decide? Are we still going to part ways here?

Her teasing, faintly triumphant tone hurt Sosuke's pride.

She had cornered him perfectly with a perfect threat.

Aw, man, I really don't want to get involved, but if I can't let her roam free with that unscrupulous moral code of hers. There's just nothing good that's gonna come out of that.

Hah. Okay, you can stay here until you find another place to crash and someone else to sponge off of. At the very least, stay until you get a grasp of how our laws and morals work.

Only a princess could incline her head with such perfect haughty indifference.

Very well. I shall be in your care.

And that was how Sala da Odin, a princess from another world, ended up staying at the home of detective Sosuke Kaburaya.